Episode 70: Watch Your Mouth!

If we’re not careful, our mouths can get us in trouble, both with people and with God. As Christians, we must remember that what we say matters. There’s a powerful picture in scripture depicting the consequence of what we say, and the way words mirror our hearts.

In Numbers 12:1-2 we find Aaron and Miriam, Moses’ brother and sister, talking about two things. First of all, they’re criticizing his choice of a wife. He married a dark-skinned Cushite woman that looked different than they did, and they voiced their disapproval.

 The second topic of discussion was more dangerous than the fist. They said, “Doesn’t God speak to us as well as Moses?” In other words, aren’t we as important and chosen as he is?

At first glance we may think “People will be people, and haven’t we all said things like this?” But God was serious in showing them the importance of their hearts and their words. 

In Numbers 12:4-12 God called them all out of the tent and spoke to them. He affirmed his relationship with Moses, and when the conversation was through, Miriam’s skin was like that of a leper. God used an ugly physical disease to show the disease of her heart—prejudice and envy. 

Immediately Moses began to pray healing for his sister, and God provided a way for her to be healed, but it wasn’t immediate. For one week she had to stay outside the camp, thinking about her words and actions. God restored their relationship and her place of honor in the camp, but not before a true lesson was learned. Although Aaron was present during the gossip sessions, most scholars believe he was more of a bystander than a participator, and that’s why his skin wasn’t leprous too. 

HONOR matters to God, and those He’s chosen to elevate should be respected by us rather than criticized. When we genuinely love people with our words and deeds, honor flows. Not just towards that person, but to God.

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